San Juan 2016 con Estuche de Madera

The poorer soils with sand and limestone covered by boulders produces the 2016 San Juan from south-facing vineyards, with more sun and a little more ripeness that, coupled with the very low yields (a little higher in 2016), produce very powerful wines with a perfumed nose. The wine is subtle and a little closed, not as expressive as Llanos del Almendro from this vintage, but with super fine and elegant tannins, leaving a dry and chalky sensation on the palate. It matured in used oak barrels for 20 months. 587 bottles were filled in September 2018.

 A deep nose of dark cherries, baked plums, sea urchins, currants, dark spices and graphite. It’s full-bodied with fine, firm tannins and bright acidity. Very concentrated and powerful, but long and layered. Still needs time. Approach from 2025.

Rare in Atauta for being south as opposed to north-facing, this 0.47-hectare plot is located in the San Juan Valley between 940 and 955 metres and is at least 150 years old, according to Ismael Sanz. The sandy, stony soils are very poor indeed, producing a wine with more alcohol and ripeness than its stablemates. Dense, savoury and sinewy, with impressive concentration, a balsamic lift and a firm finish. 2022-29.